Wednesday 29 April 2009

Food for the soul


"Food for the soul" - Inscription at the Berlin Royal Library.

I'm not sure why but I've recently been contemplating how exactly I came to work in a library?

I think my sudden need for self-enlightenment stems from my stumbling across a Word document on my work PC. The file was intriguingly named 'Libraries are....doc'.

It was instantly tempting to finish the sentence with any number of adjectives. 'Boring' perhaps or 'silent' more mundanely.

I eventually settled for, 'Libraries are... hedonistic dens of mind porn, where thought juices flow in a rainbow waterfall of cranial indulgence.'

Psychedelic churlishness to one side, within I found numerous quotes (my favourite of which adorns the title of this blog), some from famous names of the past, all profoundly arguing the library's importance to wider society.

Great! But how did I end up dipping my toe into this historic profession? I don't remember as a child dreaming of being a librarian (who would?), it was the standard 'football/rock and roll star' ambitions for yours truly.

Hopeless at Maths and the Sciences at school, I always tended towards the humanities and the arts. Coupled to this was the fact my Dad, working for an IT systems company when I was young, would always bring home cash registers, 286 and 386 PCs (remember them?), and later laptops for me to mess around on.

This mistaken enthusiasm for technology must have influenced my eventual decision to study A-Levels in English Literature, Geography and Computing - far from a standard mix. When it came to choosing a degree, I naively/ashamedly surmised that to work in IT would, a) earn me more money, b) more likely result in a job in the first place, and c) allow me to surf the web to my heart's content.

In reality, studying computing involved maths!! Suddenly, I had to be knowledgeable in how binary converts to hexadecimal and the complex workings of an operating system, memory, RAM etc, etc. The very words send me into a trance like state but this was far from the path to enlightenment. By the time I'd snapped out of my toner sniffing daydream, I'd already got a 'D' in A-level Computing and was weeks into my degree!!

A number of factors helped to save me. Firstly, the Information Science Dept, which ran my course in Information Management & Computing, was situated above the university library, secondly, I began to widen my interest in rock music and thirdly, there was an academic route back to fulfilling my web surfing pipe dreams.

Being in the library excited me. So much information, so many great works of literature, so many ideas. It's cliched of course but at 21, I literally felt like the possibilities were endless. I can't have read more than a handful of books, most of which were completely unrelated to my studies, but that was all the spark I needed.

Satre, Camus, Nietsche, Plath all these names suddenly meant something to me. My new found admiration for the Manic Street Preachers, whose album artwork, to which I was just then being formerly introduced, was emblazoned with writers quotes, suddenly resonating with my newly idealistic mindset.

Now, by focusing on the library related modules of my degree, I could begin to see worth in a career where access to knowledge for the majority was the ultimate aim, the nirvana that all information specialists aspired to. I ditched 'computing' and left the programming and system analysis behind.

If I wanted to be melodramatic I'd suggest that the opening line of 'A Design for Life' by the Manics, "Libraries gave us power", had a lasting effect on my career path. Maybe it did but perhaps the inscription from the Berlin Royal Library is more apt in truly answering the question I posed myself at the beginning of this blog....

It's food for my soul.

Thursday 23 April 2009

Top 5 - Favourite Chelsea Players (No. 1)


1) Gianfranco Zola

If I'm honest with myself, this is the moment I've been waiting for. Don't get me wrong, I love the previous 4 players I've highlighted but all of them pail in comparison to the little Sardinian.

I guess in many ways he's the player I'd always wanted to be. Diminutive in stature, such as I, I'm able to contrive some comparison between us, almost as if to say that with the right training and opportunity I could have been as good as him.

Ridiculous I know but surely that's what idolisation is, being able to live vicariously through that person in order to achieve a heightened perception of yourself?

From the moment Zola arrived in the Premier League, his skill, trickery and control mesmerised fans and opposition players alike. Watching him play, there would be little moments when he'd do something incredible, often a little flick or piece of instant control, not highlighted on Match of the Day but enough to make you grin and nod knowingly at the person next to you.

There are so many more significant moments too. The goal against Man United when he made their whole defence look like they were standing still, the back-heeled flick from a corner against Norwich in the FA Cup, scoring the winner in the Cup-Winners-Cup Final 17 seconds after coming off the bench and, perhaps my favourite, scoring against Wimbledon in the FA Cup semi-final at Highbury with a deft turn to bamboozle the defender.

My Dad (who having seen the likes of Osgood et al in the 70's still thinks Zola's Chelsea's greatest ever player) and I were lucky enough to have tickets to his tribute match at Stamford Bridge (not having been with Chelsea for ten years it couldn't be called a testimonial). It was the pre-season after he'd left to join Cagliary, the club he'd always said he wanted to finish his career with, and although he only played for the last half an hour, he was still the most talented player on the pitch.

At the end of the game he took a solitary lap of honour around the pitch receiving a standing ovation as he went. It was really quite an emotional moment and as he disappeared down the tunnel I could feel a very significant lump forming in my throat. We knew that we'd never see the likes of him again, mercurial yet so likeable and with an exemplarary attitude to the game. I merely turned to my Dad amongst the applause to say, "He's gone."

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Wembley wonder



On Saturday I paid my first visit to the new Wembley Stadium.

I'd been to the old home of English football on numerous occasions and everytime been filled with a true sense of occasion and history as soon as those Twin Towers came into view.

My ticket to the semi-final had come at such short notice (through a friend of a friend) that the fact I was going to an FA Cup semi-final for the first time hadn't really sunk in. It certainly didn't give me time to consider what I'd make of this new incarnation of the stadium.

Somewhat unexpectedly, I was bowled over by it. Stepping out of Wembley Park tube station you're immediately greeted by Wembley Way stretching into the distance.

My eyes met the towering arch and my stomach twisted with excited anticipation. The fantastic view gave the whole thing a great sense of theatre - just what you need for arriving at such hallowed ground as this.

Indeed, the statue of Bobby Moore was surrounded by crowds of photographers as if worshipping at the feet of a deity, as if this one man represented all that is good about the history, glory and origin of the English game. Perhaps he does.

Once inside the stadium, the sheer scale is breathtaking. I'm used to four individual stands but Wembley is just one sweeping cauldron of fandom, reaching majestically to a gargantuan roof.

There's been so much controversy, delay and expense in its construction, and still managers moan about the state of the pitch, but let's put all that behind us now and cherish the focal point for our nations first love.

What we have is a fantastic and world class stadium still throbing with a sense of tradition, nostalgia and intangible speciality. I can't compare it to other great, modern stadia having never been to the likes of The Millenium Stadium, The Emirates etc. but regardless, Wembley still holds its magic for me, igniting a crackle and spark of electricity in my being. Wonderous.

Top 5 - Favourite Chelsea Players (No. 2)


2) Frank Lampard

There's simply never been a more consistent performer for the club in my lifetime.

Incredibly, Lampard Junior is fast approaching his fourth consecutive season of scoring 20 goals or more (better even than a certain midfielder at Liverpool).

However, as with said certain midfielder, it's not just the goals that maketh the man but the ability to single handedly grab the game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen.

Lampard does it in a more understated way, but when watching a Chelsea team in recent years it's unbelievable how much of everything good comes as a direct or indirect result of his input. Everything just seems to flow through him.

There are always moments that stick in your mind when you think to yourself, "Yep, that player is undoubted quality" and the moment in question was his goal against Barcelona in a 4-2 thriller of a 2nd leg in the Champions League Quarter Final's a few years back.

Controlling the ball on his chest, he swivelled and hit the ball on the half volley with what seemed consumate ease. Marvellous.

I have to admit, for no little time after his signing from West Ham for £11m, I did wonder whether he was ever to reach that level of quality. However, slowly but surely he established himself as a linchpin of Jose Mourinho's Championship winning side and it was rightly so, that he and John Terry were the focal point of the bus top celebrations that followed our first Premier League title in 2005.

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Top 5 - Favourite Chelsea Players (No.3)


3) Dennis Wise

Alex Ferguson described him as a "man who could start a fight in an empty room", but perhaps more than that, he was the epitomy of a player all opposing fans loved to hate.

At a time when the influx of foreign players was changing the nature of the club beyond all recognition, 'Wisey' was the one player who seemed to encapsulate the roots of Chelsea.

Throughout the late 90's, Wise was the heart of the midfield but also the heartbeat of the club. The 'tea ladies favourite', he managed to bed in the likes of Vialli, DiMatteo and Leboeuf almost instantly, initiating them into pre-planned goal celebrations and press conference renditons of 'Singing In The Rain'.

More than just the 'cheeky chappy' with the 'Crazy Gang' outlook, he could play a little too. Again his abilities on the ball were subtle but many a time he kept play ticking over, winning posession and generally bossing the midfield while the 'superstars' struggled on a wet, away day in Middlesborough.

Perhaps his defining moment in a Chelsea shirt was during one of the teams early forays into the Champions League. A group game away to Milan was a massive fixture, of the type most fans are now used to, and his equalising goal in a 1-1, come from behind, draw gave rise to a chant that would be sung many years after the event.

"Oh Dennis Wise/Scored a bloody great goal/In the San Siro/With ten minutes to go." Not elegant but cheeky and memorable. A little like the man himself.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Top 5 - Favourite Chelsea Players (No. 4)


4) Ruud Gullit

Back in 1996 Chelsea were managed by Glenn Hoddle. In his 3 year tenure at the blues, the club never finished higher than 11th nor lower than 14th, practically the definition of mid-table obscurity.

Of course the inevitable glamour of Hoddle as a player, and a manager, couldn't help but raise the club's profile and the introduction of a new passing philosophy, plus the excitement of numerous cup runs, meant that long suffering fans finally had something to chant about.

Perhaps his most lasting legacy however, was the signing of the dread locked Dutch man. Gullit was a considerable gamble, uncertain as experts were over the state of his knees. But despite being perceived as a little over the hill, he was the first 'big name' to come to Chelsea and as a result, I was enthralled by him.

His laid back persona and the grace with which he played made him an instant hit with the fans. Everything he did seemed effortless and his range of passing, vision and control were still all present even if some of the dynamism had been left behind in Italy.

My lasting memory of Gullit was a home game against Manchester City. Dad and I had got tickets on the cheap as it was a re-arranged game played midweek. It hadn't been a particularly noteworthy contest until Gullit came on as a sub midway through the 2nd half.

Instantly, he was directing play from the midfield and suddenly Chelsea were a different team. Picking the ball up in Man City's half he looked up to his left seeking a potential through ball. Nothing on, he turned back to his right, evading the attentions of a Man City player with ease. Still nothing on, he didn't, as many would, look to lump the ball forward in hope but with great elegance, strode forward to the edge of the box unchallenged and struck a rasper into the top corner of the net.

It was a great goal but more importantly seemed to sum up Gullit's ability to control a game with endless poise.

Friday 10 April 2009

Top 5 - Favourite Chelsea Players (No.5)

After a discussion last weekend about favourite football players, I felt moved to get my top 5 down in writing. I should emphasise that these are my 'favourite' players rather than 'best' players although inevitably there will be some overlap. Anyway enough prevaricating, here we go in reverse order starting with no.5....

5) Gavin Peacock

As a young Chelsea fan, yet to enjoy the wonders of supporting a successful team, Gavin Peacock was a ray of hope.

Long before the crap goatee and the questionable punditry, the 93/94 season saw Chelsea acclaimed as the only team to beat eventual champions Manchester United both home and away. Both scorelines were 1-0 and both times the scorer was Mr Peacock.

In those days, much like today, to beat Man U was an unquestionable highlight but in this particular year Chelsea also had the glamour of a cup run to get excited about.

Peacock was pretty much an ever present, scoring in every round including an excellent strike from a vintage Tony Cascarino flick on in the semi-final against Luton Town. Manchester United awaited in the final and would famously clinch the double with a 4-0 thrashing, including two Eric Cantona penalties. Even Brian McClair got on the score sheet.

Obviously, I was devastated. I didn't expect us to win but those league results had given me hope. I certainly never expected that kind of humilation. However, there is one moment I always remember with fondness - at 0-0 early in the first half, Peacock unleashed a volley from outside of the box. It looped and arced over a surprised Schmeichel and for all the world I thought it was in. It crashed back off the top of the bar and was the last time the blues were to threaten.

It was an amazing volley and I'll always, until my dieing day, wonder what might have been had it gone in. I guess we probably would have lost 4-1 instead!

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Harbouring sentiment

Last weekend, Laura and I travelled up to Market Harbourough for the wedding of our good friends Gareth and Charlotte. It was a wonderful day and all the more special for me as it was the first time any of my close friends had decided to tie the knot.

I'm afraid I'm going to get a little sentimental now, (yet, if a wedding's not an appropriate time for emotion, I don't know when is) but it reminded both of us how very lucky we were, not only to have each other, but also so many great friends, especially in a relatively far away place (I know the midlands isn't exactly Timbuktu but neither is it on our doorstep).

After eating, drinking and making merry on the day itself, we then had Sunday morning to ourselves, deciding to visit nearby Foxton Locks. Here the Grand Union Canal climbs Foxton Hill via an historic staircase of locks and in the morning sunshine it was fantastically picturesque.

We sat and took in the beautiful view and I was moved to comment that the landscape wouldn't have differed an iota were we looking at it some 100 years ago. All rolling hills of green, there was not a road, electricity pylon or modern building in site.

A glimpse of permanence in an ever changing world, somehow it seemed an appropriate metaphor. Life is constantly in flux, our world forever in chaos, yet still, 'these three remain...faith, hope and love'.

I warned you I was going to get sentimental.

Friday 3 April 2009

Album Review: Grace/Wastelands - Peter Doherty


****
Pete(r) Doherty the artist has been with us for some time now. Since 2002 he's accounted for a body of work consisting of two Libertines albums and two Babyshambles albums plus an EP.

2009 brings us his first solo release which amounts to a total of 5 albums and an EP in 7 years - not bad by todays standards and contrary to the oft portrayed wastrel image that the tabloids are so overly keen to cultivate.

'Grace/Wastelands' sees Doherty reunited with 'Shotters Nation' producer Stephen Street, widely credited for being the first to coherently produce this ramshackle group of tearaways, he knocks previous knob twiddler, 'deaf' Mick Jones', efforts into a cocked hat.

Again here, it appears Street has tamed the beast and, along with Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, skillfully steered the good ship Albion away from the perilous rocks. Many of these songs have been around in one form or another for some time but, whereas I chastised Morrissey for including pre-released material on his latest album, at least here we are treated to the full realisation of previously scratchy, slip shod outakes, as intimate and charming as they were. Coxon's understated guitar work and Street's ephereal production allow the melody and the poetry of Doherty's songs to shine through perhaps like never before.

'Arcady' begins by skipping jauntily through a beat poet lyric and lead single 'Last of the English Roses', although repeating overplayed sentiments, includes some crafty lines as in the couplet, "Oh in '93/She could charm the bees knees of the bee."

'1939 Returning', benefits greatly from this haunting ambience as "urchins grey with dust" peer out at us from wartime memories of an ageing ex-evacuee. Doherty still has the ability to gleen beauty from the commonplace and tragic. To compare his voice to Morrissey, as one critic has, is tantamount to blasphemy but it's true that his aching lilt seems to have found a new delicacy here. Perhaps nowhere more so than on 'A Little Death Around the Eyes', possibly the oldest song included but breathed new life into in its current conception.

There are moments when you feel things may go a little ary, as when Pete personifies the elements on 'I'm the Rain' or presents us 'Sweet By and By', which never fails to evoke an image of Pete the lounge lizard, swaggering through a smoky jazz club. These hiccups negotiated, we are then treated to 'Broken Love Song' and 'New Love Grows on Trees' the latter disappointingly not included on 'Shotters Nation' after it emerged from the 'Stookie and Jim - Bumfest' session of demos.

This isn't the glorious magnum opus that everyone unrealistically craves (Doherty's never put his name to anything flawless yet) but it is a joyous and infectious listen and, just perhaps, his most realised work since those halcyon Libertines days, ironically when most of this material was written. You do wonder therefore, how much longer he can plunder the past for glories. In the meantime, 'Grace/Wastelands' is a welcome and refreshing display of the errant troubadours undoubted talents.

Thursday 2 April 2009

From Russell with love

In light of my blog yesterday, I just had to post this piece from Russell Brand who was actually at the demonstrations outside the Bank of England.

Despite having next to nothing in common with the man, I somehow know how he feels.

russellbrand.tv - Revolution

Enjoy!

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Summit of all fears



Watching the protests as they unfold on BBC News coverage throughout the day, a day in which I was told to work from home to avoid any potential threat, I can't help but feel a strange mix of emotions.

It's unfortunate that the G20 summit has, due to the nature of recent events, had to focus on the financial climate rather than the environmental one, which is, after all, still the greatest threat to our current way of life.

I never know how I feel about these mass protests. I always stand by people's right to protest and it's essential the masses are allowed to voice their opinion. Indeed, the spirit of revolution still flickers in a small, dark corner of my soul.

I was inspired by the international protests of hundreds of thousands who marched against, what was then, the proposed war in Iraq. It was fantastic to see so many unite in their desire to avoid an unjust war or, at the very least, a war being spun to us on unjust motives.

It didn't work of course as history will attest and many argue these demonstrations never achieve the desired outcome. Well this may be true but as R.P. McMurphy said in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest', "At least I tried Goddamit, at least I did that much."

If the current protest passes peacefully with a sense of carnival it will be a joyous day of revelry but, of course, there will be those who have alterior motives which can never be justified.

When you see individual protesters interviewed on the streets, they are almost uniformly unable to articulate their reasons for taking part in the protest at all. They are far more intent on taking their rage out on the police, the banks and the establishment in the wider, more general sense - evidenced perhaps by the everyday City worker being advised to dress down for fear of being targetted.

If there is so much as a mere skuffle today it will ironically blunt the impact of the message. The media, salivating for a dramatic story to tell, will highlight any clashes and thus undermine the validity of the protests.

Despite my misgivings, I envy them all. Cosy as I am in my upper working class/lower middle-class bubble, I've too much to lose from partaking in the glorious rebellion being shown - In a way, I regret that.

However, does all this detract from the actual issue? The fact is we are relying, as a global community, on the progress of the G20 summit tomorrow. We need more transparency in banking procedures, we need high risk lending to be regulated more fully, all with the ultimate aim of avoiding a repeat of the current problems in years to come.

This is the real story and discussions taking place between world leaders should be hogging the limelight. I fear it'll be a smashed window at a branch of RBS with the column inches instead.